In his sophomore year, Williams saw action in all 14 games and had six starts at right tackle, sharing time with Branndon Braxton. As a junior in 2008, he started all 14 games, the first at left tackle and the remaining 13 at right tackle, and registered 131 knockdowns. He was part of a dominant 2008 Sooners offensive line that included Duke Robinson, Phil Loadholt and Brandon Walker, and allowed only 11 sacks all season, the third-lowest total of any team in the country. The two teams that finished above them (Air Force and Navy) combined to attempt 231 passes. Oklahoma attempted 476, and—featuring quarterback Sam Bradford and running back DeMarco Murray—became the highest-scoring team in the modern era (702 points).[3]

The lone holdover from the 2008 offensive line, Williams was listed at No. 2 on Rivals.com′s 2009 preseason offensive tackle power ranking.[4] He was also named to the 2009 Outland Trophy watch list.[5] Despite missing the regular season finale due to injury, Williams led Oklahoma with 102 knockdown blocks and 885 plays, and was named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.[6]

Williams was considered one of the best offensive tackles available in the 2010 NFL Draft,[7][8][9][10][11] and drew comparisons to Jammal Brown (who, coincidentally, would also join the Redskins that same offseason via trade).[12] According to NFL.com's Gil Brandt, "Williams will be a first-round pick and can be a long-time starter in the NFL.".[13]

Williams suffered a bone bruise in his left foot during the first 2012 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.[18] Despite this injury, he started in the next two preseaon games and was fully healed by the season opener against the New Orleans Saints. By the start of the season, his teammates voted for him again to be the offensive team captain.[19] He suffered a right knee injury early in the Redskins' Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After getting an MRI exam the next day, it was reported that Williams had another bone bruise.[20] He was able to play in the next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite playing injured throughout the season, Williams had his best performance in 2012 and was selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl but couldn't participate in the Pro Bowl due to an injury when a night club fight occurred.[21][22] After the Redskins' Wildcard playoff loss against the Seattle Seahawks on January 6, 2013, Williams struck Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman in the face. He was fined $7,875 for the incident.[23]

After the Week 11 game of the 2013 season, Williams accused umpire Roy Ellison of swearing at him during the game with his accusation supported by several of his teammates.[24][25] Ellison was in turn suspended by the NFL for one game.[26] Despite the Redskins having a bad year as a team, Williams was chosen as the team's only player on the 2014 Pro Bowl team.[27]

Trent Williams nickname is "Silverback" after the male gorilla. It is a nickname given to him by teammates and one he embraces. Williams has a huge gorilla tattoo on his back and owns gorilla art and an expensive bejeweled gorilla keychain. As a number one draft pick, he was introduced to TV audiences by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with the moniker, after Williams dared the man to do it.[30][31][32][33]